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Artists & Athletes
CSU Artists Reunite in Fort Collins
By Maria Myotte, ’09
Whether art first appeared as the momentum behind a university education or as a garnish to a plant pathology degree, it still thrives in the hearts of these CSU graduates: Randy Yeates (‘74), Randall Wilson (‘77), John Garretson (‘78), Steve Allen (‘76), Steve Smith (‘76), and Daniel Genova (‘80). They studied art in college and continue to explore art and its infinite possibilities today.
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They met within the college art community in Fort Collins. “The caliber of the CSU art program was the best in the state,” says Yeates, remembering face time with internationally renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Roy Lichtenstein, as well as seeing special exhibits up close. John and Kimoko Powers, elite art collectors, consistently brought influential artists to the college and the art department provided many memorable art professors. The combination challenged them to refine a personal style rather than simply imitate their heroes.
After graduating, these gentlemen settled into routines that allowed for artistic happiness. In 1984, Genova moved to New York City and opened two non-profit art galleries that showcase
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talented but underexposed artists. He continues to work as a professional artist and contributes to various gallery showings. Steve Smith and Randall Wilson are teachers: Smith teaches at the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver and specializes in mosaics and computer graphics; Wilson teaches at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Steve Allen is an active artist in Fort Collins, contributing to several shows and with a studio tour planned for September. Garretson currently works on mixed media pieces and painting. He’s also finishing a children’s book. Yeates hosts a local radio
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show on 88.9 FM KFRC, the community radio station in Fort Collins, and is working towards completing a CD with his band, The Sparkers, out in a couple months. He also hopes to complete a graphic novel.
Their continued friendship sparked the beginning of what they hope will become a tradition: a coast-to-coast rendezvous and gallery showing of their respective pieces of work. Their first “reunion” gallery showing came about rather serendipitously; a gallery was open in Fort Collins and they snagged it. Their reunion
and respective showing honors Dave Yust, a revered professor from their days at CSU. On August 3rd, their first reunion showing was held at the CoCOA (Colorado Coalition of Artists) as part of Fort Collins’ First Friday Gallery Walk. Each artist contributed their contemporary work that vary in mediums from digital photography
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and acrylic paint to Prismacolor markers and mosaic pieces. The showing runs through the end of August. Gallery hours are Saturdays 12 to 4 p.m., and by appointment, with extended hours during New West Fest (August 17-19). The CoCOA gallery is located at 423 South Mason Street.
“Art is the only thing that comes without compromise,” says Genova. Allen says selling art is hard, but it’s not about money for these gentlemen. For them, the real profit is the creative process and
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its power to catapult the viewer to “someplace you have not been,” says Genova.
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